How to Combine PDF with Mac Preview

If you are a Mac user and need to figure out a way to combine multiple PDFs into a single file, there’s a solution already present in your system: Mac Preview. The application – thankfully – does not require a steep learning curve. However, the task does require a bit of effort but it’s not head-scratching work. You’ll become a PDF merging pro once you get the hang of it. If you have no idea about how to combine PDFs with Mac Preview, you can check this post about the detailed steps to merge PDF documents with Preview.

How to Combine PDFs Using Preview

During times when you need to combine a few materials into one single source, the last thing you want to do is manually copy and paste content. Thankfully, there’s a solution in macOS that makes that task easier for you. This Mac Preview combine PDF guide will show you the steps to take in order to compile different PDFS into one. To get started, make sure you have everything you need ready and fired up. Meaning, Preview has to up and running and the files you need to merge can be found without extensive hunting. Here’s the step-by-step guide for Mac Preview to combine PDFs.

Step1 Open a PDF file in Preview

You can find the file in its location then open it using Preview. Alternatively, you can use the Preview application itself to find the file. When using the latter, go to File then Open to locate the PDF.

Step2 Switch view into thumbnail mode

If the PDF you opened contains multiple pages, doing this step simply lays out all the pages of that document in small images. Doing this also makes it easier to combine PDFs Mac Preview since you can easily where you want to insert the other PDF document.

Step3 Select the thumbnail where other PDF will be inserted

You can scroll to find the exact thumbnail where you want to insert the next PDF when using Mac Preview merge PDF. Select the image where you intend for the other PDF to go. To merge PDF with Preview, click on Edit then Insert then Page from File. Click Open after you find the file you want to insert.

Step4 Save the new PDF document

If you only intend to use Mac Preview merge PDF once, then click File then Export as PDF to save the newly merged document. Otherwise, repeat Steps 3 to 5.

Using an Alternative Option to Mac Preview

If you’re looking to find other ways to combine multiple PDF files into one, then you might want to take a look at PDF Converter Pro from Acethinker. The process differs a lot from the Mac Preview: it’s much more easier! It also doesn’t take superior technical skills to get all the tasks done. You can follow the steps below to use this alternative to Mac Preview to merge PDFs without any fuss.

Step1 Click on the Other Tools icon

Clicking the icon labeled Other Tools brings you to an interface showing different options, including Merge.

Step2 Find the files you want to merge

You can click on the Choose File button located on the central area to find the files you want to merge. Or you can open up a folder where the files are located then drag them to the central area.

Step3 Choose an Output Folder

By default, the converted files will go to a folder called Acethinker PDF Converter. You can change that by clicking on the button showing an ellipsis.

Step4 Start the merging process

Although the function you’re performing is technically a merge, the software you are using is also a conversion tool. In short, you have to click on the Convert button to get the process going.

The process listed above is great when you’re pretty certain that you’re merging two files into one. What about merging a portion of another PDF with another? You can use the Split PDF function for that, the button of which can be found next to Merge in Other Tools. Under Split Options, you can choose to extract every page into a PDF or select the pages to extract. From there, it’s the same process for merging.

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Conclusion

When it comes to merging PDFs using a macOS, the system already comes with an application that can do the job called Preview. It’s a very good application that allows users to compile multiple PDFs into one single document. On the other hand, if you prefer to look for alternatives, the PDF Converter Pro from Acethinker is a recommended substitute. It may not have the thumbnail preview of MacOS’ application but it can still get the job done. Ultimately, your choice will boil down to whether or not you like what Preview has to offer or prefer the many other functions of PDF Converter Pro that you’re willing to pay a small amount to get it.